Soft-collar clip



Oct. 11, 1932. J. H. MccoRMlcK SOFT COLLAR CLIP Filed Nov. 17, 1930 the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

patented Oct. 11, 1931?v y y i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f reunir. MccoaMIcx, on cnns'roN, IOWA Y i l n som-coman CLIP v `Application led November 17,- 1930. i Serial No. 56,181;l

-This invention relates to meansfor holding relatively small degree of stiffness, often the points of soft collars in proper position causes annoyance to the user because lof 4the for wearand to prevent wrinkling `or undetendency of the collar points to become wrinsirable iiexing'of said points, and the princikled or to bend upwardly or forwardly or pal object is to provide an efficient means for, to lbe subject to other undesirable flexing. 55 this purpose which is inexpensive, easily ap-r In my 'present invention I have, therefore, 1 plied, and invisible when in place. provided a simple `and efhcient means for A further object of the invention `is to lproovercoming this tendency and for holding vide awireV clip of substantially inverted the collar points in their proper positions.'

l U-shape which is adapted vto be mountedbe- -In-the accompanying drawing there is 60 tween the folds of a double or folded shirt shown a collar of the double or folded over collar and having sharp points'on the'ends type, in which the numeral 10a designates of its arms adapted to penetrate the fabric the band or inner fold and the numberal b at the point of the collar for holding these designates the outer fold, the latter portion points in proper position. l terminating in two spaced points 10c. In a Another object is to provide a Adevice of the collars of this type the points such as 10c character` described having such formation often are elongated considerably and this of the sharpened prongs for engaging the elongation increases the tendency toward collar points that the prongs are easily enwrinkling or flexing, particularly Where litgageable and removable and whereby-the tle or no starch is employed in" laundering 70 amount of penetration of the prongs is limthe collar. c f n ited. In connection with the collar I have shown Another object of the invention is to .proan ordinary four-in-hand necktie having a vide such a device in which the cross bar is bight portion 12a enclosed between the two provided with a central seat or loop for enfolds vof the collar. Thenumeral 12b desig- 75 gaging a collar button to prevent lateral nates the knot'of the necktie and the numeral l movement of the clip in either direction. 120 a flowing end thereof.l

With these and other objects in view my The clip forming the subject matter of invention consists in the construction, army invention is composed of asingle length rangement and combination of the various of very light wire, such as piano wire, which 80 devices, whereby the objects contemplated are is bent to substantially inverted U-shape. f

attained, as hereinafter more fully described, When so formed the clip includes a cross pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in bar 14and a pair of spaced downwardly prothe accompanying drawing, in which jecting arms 16 and 18. l .v

Figure lis a front view illustrating one Preferably the wire is bent sov as to form of my improved-collar clips (shown-by dotupwardly directed loops 2O and 22 at its ends ted lines) in position for use in connection and between the end portions of the cross bar with a shirt collar and necktie. and the upper portions of the respective arms Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section on 16; and 18. The wire preferably is bent reary wardly near the ends of the cross bar 14so 90 Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section on that the planes of the loops 20' and 22 are the line 3 3 of Figure 1. arranged at oblique angles to the vertical Figure 4 is an enlarged `horizontal section plane through the cross bar asgmost clearly yon the line 4-4 of Figure 1. shown in Figure 4.' It is to be understood Figure 5 is a perspective View of a clip that in the'use of theword rearwardly and 95 constructed in accordance with my invenkindred expressions, reference is had tothe tion. y y position'occupied yby the clip when it is in The use of relatively soft shirt collars, use. y f

either of the attached or collar band type, At its center the cross bar 14 is formed which often are wornunstarched or with a with. a concaved seat which isproduced by 10'.

i points 10c.

forming a substantially semi-circular downward bend in the wire and this seat or loop is designated by the numeral 24.

The loop or seat 24 is adapted to engage behind thehead and beneath the shank of a collar button such as 26 when the clip is in place, and the function of this engagement is to assist in centering the device and to prevent lateral movement in either direction aer it has been put in place.

Each arm 16 and 18 of the clip is formed at its free or lower end with a sharpenedprong and these prongs are designated by the numerals 28 and. 30 respectively. VThe prongs 30 preferably are inclined downwardlyand forwardly and are adapted to penetrate'the fabric at the inner sides of the respective points 10c of the collar. To limit the amount of penetration of the prongs 28 and 30, the ends of the arms 16 and 18 are formed with loops 82 and 34 respectively and the prongs are formed on and project from the upper ends of these loops. In other words, the material at the lower end of each arm is first bent upwardly and then downwardly and outwardly, and sharpened to form the prong and the upper end of the recurved loop thus formed acts as a stopto limit the amount of penetration which is permitted as will clearly be understood from the illustration in Figure 2.

The arms 16 and 18 may be formed at intermediate points with laterally directed bends or loops 86 and 88 respectively. It is the function of these loops to provide'convenient means for grasping or holding the relatively line wire between the thumb and vlinger of the hand in adjusting the clip to its position or removing it therefrom.

In placing the clip in position for use, the cross bar 14 is placed behind the knot 12b of the necktie and one of the prongs such for instance as 28 is caused to engage and penetrate the fabric on the rear side of one of the The device is pushed upwardly between the folds of the collar so that the central seat or loop 24 of the cross bar engages behind the head and beneath. the shank of the'collar button 26 and in such manner that the upwardly directed loops 20 and 22 pass between the bight portion 12a of the tie yand the outer fold 10b of the collar, at points near the fold line of the collar. Then the prong such as 30 on the other arm of the clip'is Vcaused-to engage and penetrate the Vfabric on the rear side of the other collar point 10c.- This engagement may be effected by first moving the arm upwardly and then pulling it downwardly in such manner as to cause the prong to penetrate the fabric.

It should be observed that the clip is made of relatively light spring wire which tends to hold its desired formation and which at the same time has sufficient flexibility to permit it to yield for accomplishing the. de-

Lacasse sired movement for adjusting and replacing' it relative to the collar and necktie.

Furthermore, the arms of the clip are sufliciently stiff and strong to hold the points of the collar in the normal desired position and thus to prevent wrinkling or other undesirable 4flexing of these collar points. The clip also provides a support forthe frontpart of the necktie and tends to assist in holding the knot snugly in place and to prevent slipping. For removing the clip it is only necessary to first move one ofv the arms 16 or 18 upwardly a suficient distance to permit its prong to `disengage from the fabric, after which the clip may be readily manipulated in such ways as to remove the otherfprong from its engagement. 'It will be noted that the upwardly directed bendsor loops 20 and 22 of the clip contribute to its flexibility or ability to bend and assume the desired positions for adj ust-ing andremoving theclip.

Inasmuch as the central loop 24, by yengaging the collar button, prevents lateral movement of the clip, itwill be understood that under normal conditions it will always remain in the desired position until it isA intentionally displaced.

It will further be noted that the provision for limiting the depth of penetration ofthe prongs 28 and 30 makes it very easy to remove the clip from the collar, and that there is no danger of tearing or otherwise injuring the fabric. Y

The prongs 28 and 3() preferably are in substantially the same planes as the double bends or loops 32 and 34 on which they are formed, and these planes are arranged substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the clip. In other words, the pointed prongs are directed forwardly from and perpendicular to the common vertical plane of the two arms 16 and 18 on which they arevformed.

The clip is very light and inconspicuous and when in use it is entirely concealed behind the necktie and the outer fold and points of the collar,

The rearward bending of the upwardly directed loops 20 and 22 and the arms 16 and 18 formed thereon, causes the general shape of the clip to conform somewhat to the necesi' vsary curvature of the collar when it is in place, and also permits the clip to be placed under slight tension by the engagement of these loops between the portion 12a of the necktie and the outer foldy 10b of the collar, with the simultaneous `enga-gement of the central part of the cross bar 14 behind the knot ofl the tie and behind the head of the collar button. l

All of these features contribute toward making a simple and effective means vfor producing the desired results. Y

Some changesv may be made. in 'the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device withoutrdeparting-from thereal lio 'izo

spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents7 which may be reasonabl included within their scope.

Iyclaim as my invention 1. A collar clip adapted for use with a folded collar having spaced points, comprising a length of wire bent to substantially inverted U-shape to produce a cross bar and a pair of spaced depending arms, each arm being rebent upwardly at its lower end and then bent forwardly and sharpened to form a prong, each prong being adapted to penetrate the fabric at the rear side of one of the collar points when the cross bar is arranged transversely between the folds at the front pf the collar, for holding said points in place, the rebent portions at the lower ends of the arms serving as stops to limit the penetration of said prongs whereby the clip may be placed under tension, said cross bar being formed at its center with a concaved upwardly opening seat adapted to engage a securing means at the front of the collar, for preventing lateral movement of the clip.

2. A collar clip for use with a folded collar having a pair of spaced points and with a necktie worn therewith having a bight portion received in the fold of the collar and a knot located substantially between said points; said clip comprising a cross bar and a pair of arms, one extending downwardly from each end ofthe cross bar, the cross bar adapted to be placed transversely behind the knot of the necktie and the arms being so positioned as to then lie behind the respective points of the collar, said arms being sharpened at their ends for penetrating the fabric of the collar points, and means for limiting the depth of such penetration, said cross bar being formed near its ends with upwardly directed members adapted to engage in front of the bight of the neck- L tie, whereby the cross bar serves to hold said bight upwardly and the arms serve to hold the collar points down, said cross bar being formed at its center with an upwardly opening seat adapted to engage beneath a securing member for the collar to prevent lateral shifting of the clip.

JOHN H. MoCORlWICK. 

